HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 3316 02/08/1983 RDINANCE NO. 3316
AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADVISORY
REFERENDUM IN THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT,
ILLINOIS, ON THE QUESTION OF CHANGING THE
MEANS OF SELECTING MEMBERS TO THE ILLINOIS
COMMERCE COMMISSION IN ORDER TO MAKE THE
COMMISSION MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS
AND RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER PUBLIC
PASSED AND APPROVED BY
THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE 8th DAY OF F~br~y , 1983.
Published in pamphlet form by
authority of the corporate
authorities of the Village of
~ount Prospect, Illinois, the
9th day of February , 1983.
RDINANCE NO. 3316
AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADVISORY
REFERENDUM IN THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT,
ILLINOIS, ON THE QUESTION OF CHANGING THE
MEANS OF SELECTING MEbIBERS TO THE ILLINOIS
COMMERCE COMMISSION IN ORDER TO MAKE THE
COMMISSION MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS
AND RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER PUBLIC
WHEREAS, the Illinois Commerce Commission is the State
Agency having power to regulate the utility industry throughout
the State of Illinois, including the power to approve and auth-
orize an increase in the rates charged by the various utility
companies to their consumers for providing telephone, gas
and electric service, and in some instances for providing
water service; and
WHEREAS, the citizen consumers of this community have been
affected by recent rate increase requests on behalf of Illinois
Bell Telephone Company, Northern Illinois Gas ~Company, Common-
wealth Edison company, and in particular, CitiZens Utilities
Company with respect to utility services rendered within the
community; and
WHEREAS, in the opinion of this Board, the Illfnois Commerce
Commission has acted to approve these rate increase requests
wit~put giving serious consideration or study to citizen consuaner
objections regarding the quality and quantity of service being
rendered by the utility company in question, and without requir-
ing such company to furnish adequate and substantial proof that
kuch rate increase.is merited and'that the approval of such
rate increase will in turn render the utility company more re-
sponsible in servicing its consumers; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of this Board, from the foregoing
and from its own participation in rate increase hearings before
the Commission.~ that the Illinois Commerce Co~ission does not
and will not make a conscientious effort to protect the rights
and needs of citizen utility consumers and to condition utility
rate increases upon adequate and responsible performance and
need by the utility~companies concerned; and
WHEREAS, it is the determination of this Board that the only
way in which such public rights will be protected in regard to
such utility rate increase matters will be through action by
the General Assembly to change the means of selecting members
to the Illinois Commerce Commission; and
WHEREAS, this Board deems it to be in the best interests of
citizens of this Village to place the question of selection of
membership on the Illinois Commerce Commission to the public to
be voted upon at the regular consolidated election of April 12,
1983.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD
OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, COOK COUNTY,
ILLINOIS:
ECTION ONE: This Board does hereby declare that the
foliowing question of public policy shall be submitted to
the electorate of this Village at the regular consolidated
election to be held on April 12, 1983, to-wit:
"Shall the Illinois legislature adopt legislation changing
the method of selecting members to the Illinois Commerce
Commission to provide for the election thereof or provide
for change in the manner of appointment thereof in an
effort to make the Commission more responsive to the
rights and needs of the consumer public in utility rate
increase proceedings?"
SECTION TWO: The Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed
to certify 'this question of public policy to the proper officials
in, the Office of the Cook County Clerk within the time for such
certification to be made in order that said question of public
policy shall be placed upon the ballot to the voted upon at the
regular consolidated election to be held in this Village on
April 12, 1983.
SECTION THREE: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect
upon its passage, approval and publication in pamphlet form in
the manner provided by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS
AYES: Arthur, Farley,
8th February
DAY OF , 1983.
Floros, Krause
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Murauskis, Richardson, Wattenberg
ATTEST:
VILLAGE PRESIDENT
VILLAGE CLERK